Holistic medicine approach to PMR

Yes, in addition to calcium in my food. I think he's being extra careful about bone loss risk.

I have tried various holistic approaches, but with limited success. I was advised by my naturopath to try an anti-inflammatory diet, but have found it to be too limiting. What I have done is cut my intake of the top inflammatory foods -- i.e. red meat and sugar -- which I feel helped quite a bit. I've also cut way back on my salt consumption. However, this didn't prevent me from having a flare of PMR symptoms when I tapered from 10 mg down to 9 mg of prednisone. I had to go back up to 11 mg for a while to get the flare under control, and am back down to 10 mg again. I also take MSM, which is supposed to help with PMR, according to some articles I've read, although again, it didn't prevent me from flaring. I can't say if the flare would have been worse, or the prednisone tapering more difficult, if I wasn't doing these other things. but I honestly don't feel that holistic approaches on their own would be enough to get PMR under control. Unfortunately, prednisone seems to be a necessary evil.

I also tried two different homeopathic remedies, neither of which did anything to help.

One thing I have discovered is that stress is a huge PMR trigger for me. And it doesn't take much. Just having new neighbours move in a few weeks ago caused me stress, which I believe contributed to the flare I had. So I really have to watch my stress levels, and try to take steps to reduce them when changes are occurring and/or something is making me anxious or tense. Meditation helps quite a bit. As does staying away from the news.

Funny you say that. I have completely cut off the news. I finally decided there was nothing I can do about it so I need to cut myself off from it. I try to be a Phoenix Suns fan. I had to cut out watching any of the games. I just cant deal with much of anything that stresses me. I hate to live in a bubble but....

The news these days is a massive source of stress, so I really limit how much I look at it. I can't deal with all the existential threats we're being faced with. As you say, there's nothing we can do about it, and getting caught up in all the doom-mongering only erodes your physical/mental/emotional health. I just try to live life one day at a time, and do something each day that gives me pleasure -- whether it's working in the garden, seeing friends, going to Tai chi, or watching a favourite TV show.

The news! Thank you Charlotte and Tucker for pointing out that stress can be a contributor. It truly hadn't even occurred to me...though I know that stress can start a common cold for me.

Stress is definitely a factor. How I've coped with the horrible news cycle by limiting my exposure -AND picking one topic and turning my frustration into anger. For example, I'm writing "get out the vote" letters this year. It's relaxing and I'm doing something really good for the world. Also gardening and walking the neighborhood kids to school!

* oops - I meant action not anger!

Yes, I live in a swing state and have worked the polls the last few years. I had to avoid any work last year when I developed PMR. But I feel I got my life back with prednisone. However, I am now tapering and the last couple of election days have been rough at the end of the 14 hour day. I know I could not be a manager again, but I plan to work the polls this November even if I have to up my prednisone. I am also doing letters to the editor and getting out the vote activities.

I agree keeping up with the news can be stressful and should be limited if it upsets you. Maybe that's why there is so much PMR going around!

I use the Wahls protocol (Dr. Wahls is an MD formerly at Univ. of Iowa Med School and Iowa City, V. A. hospital, with M.S.)

Her protocol involves an eating plan, meditation, exercise and eliminating sugar (except in whole fruit), gluten & dairy. The eating plan uses 9 cups of veg & fruit per day, adequate protein, certain good fats & some supplements. The 9 cups of veg & fruit are equally divided into three categories - colorful polyphenol rich (example- purple cabbage or raspberries), cruciferous (example-broccoli, asparagus) and Leafy greens (example lettuce, radicchio, spinach etc). Some foods fall in more than one group.
See Dr. Wahls’s website (terrywahls.com) for details and her inspiring story of experimenting with her own M.S. to develop this protocol. I used her book but am now seeing a nutritionist who uses the Wahls protocol with her patients.

Dr. Wahls got out of her wheelchair with this protocol and she believes it is applicable to auto-immune diseases in general. I have Giant Cell Arteritis and am tapering off prednisone. I love the protocol because it is one thing I can do that won’t hurt me. I feel empowered & and comforted. There is so much that is unknown and therefore scary to me about GCA and PNR. Here is one thing (healthy lifestyle) that is known.

Thank you for this information. I will definitely investigate/research Dr. Wahls. Next week will be 11 mg of prednisone, but so far, I've had my PMR symptoms largely relieved at 12 mg.